ELY- Just ahead of the start of a jury trial scheduled for Nov. 5, Jason Keith Gillson opted for a guilty plea on two counts stemming from his 2023 incident in Ely, which led to a host of felony charges, including arson, flight, assault, and discharging a firearm within city limits.
The charges arose from Gillson’s actions during two altercations with his girlfriend at his residence at 45 E. Boundary St. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 13, 2023. On Aug. 20, he shot out the tires of his girlfriend’s car as she tried to leave his house. On Sept. 13, he shot both her wallet and cell phone, set his own house on fire, and fled from the scene resulting in a 25-mile police chase. He later assaulted the law enforcement officers who took him into custody, prompting additional charges.
According to the plea petition Gillson filed with the court on Monday, the troubled Ely man will plead guilty to three of the felony counts, including felony firearms discharge stemming from the Aug. 20 incident and second-degree arson and fourth-degree assault of a peace officer resulting from the Sept. 13 incident. Prosecutors agreed to drop a first degree arson charge, felony flight, and a second felony weapons discharge count as part of the plea.
Gillson’s plea also includes a cap on incarceration at 365 days and a lifetime ban on owning a gun and ammunition.
Gillson’s single-family home was condemned on Sept. 14, 2023. Since that time, Gillson has received a settlement with his insurance company and hired contractors to work on the property, according to Doug Whitney, Ely’s building official. The property remains condemned for habitation until the repairs are completed and Ely inspects the property.